My daughter Katie, my son Keegan, and hubby Kent, sacrificed greatly so I could serve our nation in uniform and keep other American families safe. They might have understood the call of duty, but that didn’t make it easy on them or me.

On too many Mother’s Days, I was unable to hold my children because I was deployed overseas to places like Iraq, Kosovo or Asia, protecting our nation. On those special days, I had to be content with an email, a letter or a crayon drawn card from my children.

Today, I imagine many of us are whispering silent prayers for our mothers, grandmothers, fathers and grandfathers. Hoping they stay safe from the COVID-19 pandemic, which is ravaging across our country.

Unfortunately some of our parents, are spending day after day in isolation, afraid of what awaits them in the COVID world. It is important to remember that our elder parents built our country and are responsible for the relative wealth and ease of our modern life.

We owe it to them to honor their sacrifices and hard work to keep them safe. Seems the Republican leaders in Texas have put our most vulnerable citizens at even more risk by opening up stores and restaurants while the number of cases continues to spike.

It’s inconceivable to think we would allow our Texas families to die for the sake of a beauty salon or chain restaurant. W/o elected officials putting our safety 1st, it’s fallen all our shoulders to fight a war against an invisible enemy, who’s thriving due to ignorance & greed.

We can all be warriors in this gravest battle of our lifetime and in the life of America. Instead of donning combat helmets designed to thwart a sniper’s bullet, our best protection against the enemy in this war are face masks, soap and water, and to continue social distancing.

Of course it’s a sacrifice, but don't we want to hold on to our mothers and fathers awhile longer? Since the beginning of our country, Americans have been going into battle to defend against those who would want to harm us. We have the power to keep our parents safe.

We have the power to ensure future Mother’s Days for our neighbors and our own loved ones. We have the power to win this battle with the right leaders. So today, let's whisper a silent prayer for all the mom's out there.